Yesterday, one of our local church members, Jacques (prof at a seminary nearby), gave the message. We are currently in a series on Advent, thinking through several of the names attributed to the Son of God. This past Sunday’s focus was on the name we know so well: Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25).
Jacques presented this text in Matthew in the larger context of God’s sovereignty over the history of His people. For example:
- Though Jesus was a common name at the time, it is God the Father who chooses this name for the Savior He will send.
- Citing a passage from Isaiah, Matthew shows how far into the past (and the future) God’s plan extends.
- The main and only protagonist in this story is God. Man and woman are simply passive.
But then, Jacques made an interesting observation: what was good news for the world, was not good news at first for Joseph & Mary. He asked us to think about what this “news” meant to Joseph. The text is pretty clear that it placed Joseph & Mary in a very delicate situation. How were they to explain to others the fact of Mary’s pregnancy, given that they were not living together?
Sometimes, God demonstrates grace towards us by placing us in a difficult or hard situation. This grace, in the moment, may seem ambiguous or unclear because the real blessing of what God is allowing us to go through will not become evident till later. And often that difficulty will become a gift to others as we allow God’s grace to sustain and teach us in the midst of the situation in which we find ourselves.
I couldn’t help but think of numerous applications of Jacques’ insights to our lives as cross-cultural workers. Life as a cross-cultural worker is exciting, adventurous, a “wild ride” as I sometimes describe it. However, cross-cultural living is plain hard at times. Trying to learn the language(s) of the people to whom you minister. Navigating cultural differences which cause us frustrations and misunderstandings. Giving and giving to others in another culture, only to see them turn away from Christ.
Could it be that God’s demonstration of grace in these instances is often hidden from our eyes by our own complaining spirit? Could it be that we forget later to see how God ‘graced’ us through those hard times to prepare us for the ministry to which He has called us?
Let us help one another to see His grace(s) to us, even in the hard moments of life and ministry as cross-cultural workers.
Filed under: Crossing cultures, Grace, Jesus Christ |
Thoughts Along The Journey 
David, great reminder of God’s grace in the midst of our life situations.
Thanks Kevin! The insight from Jacques got me thinking and i wanted to share that insight with the larger WT community!
I especially appreciated the part about Mary & Joseph- this will fit right in with my next lesson on I Peter for the Bible study in this building. What a blessing to know that even in difficulties God knows and extends His Grace. Thanks again
Great to hear the insight will be helpful to sharing in another context!
Another aspect of what was good news for the world but not good news for Joseph and Mary was that this precious child was going to become a sacrifice, the Lamb of God taking away our sin through His death on the cross. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Wonderful added insight!